Enhanced Room Temperature Ferromagnetism in Cobalt-Doped Copper Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Characterization

Dilute magnetic semiconductors have geared up the research interest due to the preservation of both magnetic and semiconducting properties leading to multifunctional capabilities. Yet, it is challenging to have room temperature ferromagnetism with high Curie temperature. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of copper oxide and Co-doped CuO nanoparticles (1%). CuO shows antiferromagnetic nature. In comparison, Co-doped CuO has a high Curie temperature of 400 K and exhibits room temperature ferromagnetism (FM) due to the overlapping and hybridization of Co 4d and O 2p orbitals. Thus, cobalt-doped CuO can be considered as dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMS) in future electronics.